Maximizing Farm Productivity Through Advanced Agricultural Drainage Solutions

Proper drainage and water management are critical to boosting yields, reducing risks, and maximizing profits on today’s farms. As a leading provider of subsurface drainage solutions, Ellingson partners with growers nationwide to optimize their farms’ productivity through innovative agricultural drainage pumps, remote monitoring and control technologies, maintenance programs, and complete water management systems.

For over 50 years, Ellingson has delivered cutting-edge solutions tailored to unique soil conditions, weather variability, cropping patterns, and operational goals. Our expertise helps growers improve drainage, conserve water resources, control irrigation, reduce nutrient runoff, and strengthen climate resilience.

Our Services

Agricultural Drainage – We offer a full range of agricultural drainage services including system design, installation, maintenance, and upgrades to improve drainage, reduce risks, and maximize yields.

Controlled Drainage – Installing controlled drainage systems that allow farmers to actively manage subsurface water levels to conserve water, control irrigation, and reduce nutrient runoff.

Subsurface Irrigation – Providing subsurface irrigation systems that deliver water and nutrients directly to crop root zones for improved efficiency and yield.

Specialty Drainage – Designing and installing specialty drainage systems for unique needs like cranberry bogs, nurseries, and orchards.

Lift Stations / Pumps: Installing small lift stations all the way up to a quadruple pump lift station set up for large acre projects, with remote monitoring capabilities.

Service Department – Ellingson’s service team provides preventative maintenance, repairs and upgrades to keep drainage systems operating optimally.

Our Process

Discovery & Data-Gathering – We provide a field-by-field analysis that lets you know which fields are most suitable for subsurface water management.

In-field Consultation – Our team has worked as hired consultants. No matter what the challenge is, we’ll make sure our water management approach maximizes your ROI.

Design & Engineering – You know your land best. That’s why we work closely with our customers in order to engineer a custom drainage design for your land that will deliver maximum yield increase.

Installation – Our dedicated field crew will install your custom drainage system with efficiency, safety, and professionalism always on top of mind.

Post-Project Follow-Up – Our sales professionals will be in touch with you to review the project scope and to answer any follow-up questions you may have.

The Importance of Drainage and Water Management in Agriculture

Water is essential for crop growth. However excessive moisture prevents roots from accessing oxygen, nutrients, and water. It also leads to ponding, compaction, erosion, nutrient leaching, and salinity buildup.

Proper drainage creates an ideal moisture balance in the root zone for robust plant development. Key benefits include:

• Increased Yields – With optimal moisture levels, crops can grow stronger root systems and consistently uptake nutrients and water. This results in higher yields for all crop types.
• Risk Reduction – Drainage prevents wet spots, runoff, anaerobic conditions, and oversaturation that can devastate yields. This lowers risks from weather variability.
• Operational Efficiency – Proper drainage can help create drier fields, which can enable earlier and faster access for various field operations, such as planting, spraying, and harvesting. This can improve the efficiency of labor and equipment, but the exact improvement may vary depending on the crop type, soil type, climate, and drainage system used.
• Cost Savings – Proper drainage can also help reduce the risks of crop losses due to waterlogging, erosion, nutrient leaching, and salinity buildup. This can increase the yields and quality of the crops, but the exact increase may vary depending on the same factors mentioned above. By reducing risks and increasing yields, proper drainage can provide a significant return on investment and higher profitability for farmers.
• Improve Soil Health – Proper drainage enhances soil aeration, reduces compaction, decreases soil erosion, and improves saline and sodic soils.
• Tax Benefits – Agricultural drainage qualifies for tax deductions and other financial incentives, which can help lower the net cost for farmers.

Specialized Drain Tile Systems for Every Farm

Each farm has different soil properties, landscapes, or cropping systems. Ellingson’s experts evaluate each operation to design a customized subsurface drainage system using various drainage tile materials, sizes, depths, and installation options:

Drain Tile

Drain tile has been around for hundreds of years to help remove excess water from the subsoil.  Just like anything else, drain tile has continued to improve over the years, from concrete and clay tile being installed to the product we have today’s high-density polymer plastic pipe.

In addition to the pipe material changing, so has the method of water entering the pipe.

There are 4 common types of pipes:

1. Regular Perforated
2. Narrow Slot Perforated
3. Non-Perforated
4. Sock

Each type of pipe is best suited for certain soil types, which we would determine in the initial assessment.

Drainage Co-efficient

Engineering a properly sized water management system for your specific field and crop rotation might be just as important if not more important than the installation.

Drainage coefficient is the amount of water a system is capable of removing from the soil profile in a 24-hour period.

This can vary on several different factors, crops grown, sub-soil type, and hydrology of soils. The industry standard according to university studies, shows that 3/8” to ½” are what most systems installed.

Laterals

In drain tile installations there are many ways to approach the design to installation that result in a quality product for the end user. 3” and 4” laterals are the most common to install. Although there is only 1” in difference between the two, the capacity of a 4” line is capable of handling almost double the amount of water. In addition, 3” laterals can only be run so long before they become “overloaded”.

Overcuts

In the world of construction equipment, the equipment used to install a drain tile project is among some of the biggest and most sophisticated. Just like equipment, drain tile projects can sometimes require large diameter or deep drain tile lines to ensure a properly functioning system.

When a drain tile line is too deep to install with the plow, we perform what is called an overcut.  An overcut simply removes the topsoil and places it on one side of the trench, and then removes the sub-soil as needed and places that on the other side of the trench.  The plow then is able to install the pipe at the desired depth.  From there the trench is backfilled in reverse order with a dozer or excavator.

Ellingson: Your Full-Service Water Management Partner

Ellingson partners with you long-term to maximize productivity through innovative water management. For over 50 years, we have delivered solutions that reduce risks, increase yields, improve efficiency, conserve water, and boost profitability for farms nationwide.

Our team provides the most reliable service and robust warranties in the industry. Contact Ellingson today at 888-527-2294 to discuss your needs. Discover how advanced drainage and irrigation solutions can unlock the full potential of your operation.

Our Projects:

Agricultural Drain Tile Mapleton Project: This project involved installing over 100 miles of agricultural drain tile on a 10,000-acre farm in Mapleton, ND. The project was completed in less than 90 days using Ellingson’s advanced technology and equipment. The project improved the farm’s soil health, crop yield, and water quality.

Drainage Assessment in Norman County, MN: This project involved conducting a comprehensive drainage assessment for a 3,000-acre farm in Norman County, MN. The project used Ellingson’s drone mapping and soil sampling services to identify the optimal drainage design for the farm. The project also gave the farmer a detailed report and recommendations for future drainage improvements.

Specialty Drainage in Hancock, WI: This project involved installing a specialty drainage system for a cranberry bog in Hancock, WI. The project used Ellingson’s subsurface irrigation and water level control technologies to create a customized solution for the unique needs of the cranberry farm. The project enhanced the farm’s water efficiency, crop quality, and environmental sustainability.

Subsurface Irrigation in Gum Neck, NC: This project involved installing a subsurface irrigation system for a corn and soybean farm in Gum Neck, NC. The project used Ellingson’s variable rate irrigation and remote monitoring technologies to deliver precise amounts of water and nutrients to the crops. The project increased the farm’s water savings, crop yield, and profitability.

Agricultural Drainage in Larimore, ND: This project involved installing an agricultural drainage system for a wheat and barley farm in Larimore, ND. The project used Ellingson’s trenchless plowing and GPS guidance technologies to install over 50 miles of drain tile quickly and efficiently. The project reduced the farm’s soil compaction, erosion, and salinity.

Controlled Drainage in Walsh County, ND: This project involved installing a controlled drainage system for a potato and sugar beet farm in Walsh County, ND. The project used Ellingson’s automated control structures and real-time data technologies to regulate the water level and flow in the drain tile network. The project improved the farm’s nutrient retention, crop quality, and water management.